FRC Exclusive: Fall 2017 Flashbacks

            The start of 2018 brings new opportunities and people to the Franklin Residential College (FRC). There is much excitement about the future of our organization, especially after the wonderful accomplishments from last year. As we bring in the New Year, let us look back on Fall 2017 with the FRC. In August, in addition to welcoming a mix of nearly 30 new members with returning members, the FRC welcomed a new family in residence, Ms. Chera Jo Watts and her son Cooper, to the first floor of Rutherford Hall. Chera is an academic advisor in the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, and her experience at the University of Georgia spans over ten years in a variety of capacities. Throughout the fall, we hosted a variety of social, academic, and service events, which connected members in Franklin Residential College with the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, The University of Georgia, and the greater Athens community. From meeting new and returning members at our inauguration meeting in August, to our late night breakfast before final exams, there were many memorable events that added value to our tight knit community. However, we would not be here without the hard work and dedication from all of our past members that have paved the way for a new generation of FRC members. As we strive to uphold their legacy by providing a beneficial residential community for students in the arts and sciences, we welcome you to an inside look of what it really means to be a part of the Franklin Residential College.

             In the FRC, we value academics because great minds are capable of great change. Our residential community serves to foster exciting intellectual opportunities for our members, all of whom reside in Rutherford Hall. Academic events are a wonderful way to connect members with various faculty in the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, UGA alumni, and community members. With our diverse range of educational topics, members can gain exclusive insight on subjects both within and outside of their fields. Last fall, our members participated in Director's Talk and Teas in which a UGA faculty member provided in-depth lessons in an interactive environment for small groups of students, ranging from 5-15 participants, in Rutherford Hall. For instance, our first Talk and Tea with FRC alumni  and current UGA Law School students, Melina Lewis and Lyddy O’Brien, helped members learn about law school while gaining advice on life after graduation. It was very comforting to hear from former UGA students who have walked in our shoes. At a cookie night in October, the Office of Sustainability discussed the importance of composting. Composting is an easy, sustainable practice which properly breaks down nitrogen or carbon-based material such as: fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and tea leaves. The composting interns facilitated a discussion and encouraged Rutherford residents to compost in the bin on the patio of Chera’s apartment, located on the back of Rutherford Hall. At another Talk and Tea, Dr. Damon Gannon from the UGA Marine Institute at Sapelo Island, was delighted to share his career path and research with intrigued members. Additional Talk and Tea events consisted of a wide range of topics from Dr. Naomi Norman’s interesting talk about the commemoration of the dead, to Dr. Mark Farmer’s engaging talk about the science behind climate change and public policy. Our last Talk and Tea in the fall allowed members to get creative and express themselves with an art lesson from professional artist, Daemion Goodwin. According to FRC member Jamie Rodriguez, a sophomore Chemistry and Psychology major and French minor, “I really enjoyed Goodwin’s talk because he demonstrated that professionalism can start from anywhere when you are resourceful. He discussed how he began his art path by using old art paintings from Goodwill to make his own pieces.” Like Goodwin, the FRC is dedicated to being resourceful for our members and exposing them to diverse topics. Our fall academic events provided several academic resources for members to be successful. 

            In addition to academic events, the FRC values service and strives to help those in the communities around us. Thus, we hosted service events last fall that were impactful to The Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, University of Georgia, and greater Athens community. Service events not only increased our awareness of societal issues, but also developed connections between the members and Athens. For instance, our first service event was Rooftop Gardening at the Green Roof Garden on top of the Geography-Geology Building, just around the corner from Rutherford. Members spent the evening picking weeds, planting cabbage, and maintaining flowerbeds to sustain the environment. This service event enabled us to give back to the UGA community by preserving the garden that combats the Urban Heat Island effect. In addition, produce harvested at the Green Roof Garden is donated to Campus Kitchen, an organization that provides meals for food insecure individuals in the Athens community. Next, the FRC visited the Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery, where we learned about its rich history and importance in the Athens African-American community. Following a brief, interactive educational activity in the cemetery, members spent a few hours of hard labor cutting out shrubs, pulling weeds, and gathering trash that had accumulated throughout the cemetery. FRC Web Design Chair Michaela Lubbers, a sophomore Applied Biotechnology major and Philosophy minor, said, “The Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery clean-up was hands down my favorite FRC activity, as it blended service and learning in a social environment. Getting some good old-fashioned ‘dirt therapy’ as my Mom calls it was also a treat, as opportunities for yanking up weeds is limited while living on campus!” Like Michaela, members left their mark on the Athens community through the cemetery clean-up, while the cemetery’s history impacted them. Finally, our last fall service event was a Holiday Card-making event. In December, we donated handmade holiday cards to nearly 90 senior citizens at High Shoals Health and Rehab in High Shoals, Georgia. Many of the senior citizens go without visitors or mail, and it felt wonderful to warm the hearts of those who came before us during the winter season. Through service, great minds can make a change.

            The FRC values community because great minds are greater together. Through social interaction, our members can inspire others. Our fall social events gave members the opportunity to meet new friends and share their experiences. In fact, the benefit of social events are networking opportunities between members that share a common interest in the arts and sciences. Throughout the fall, we hosted several Cookie Nights in Chera’s apartment to establish a comfortable environment for members to connect. On Halloween, we hosted a special Cookie Night where members enjoyed Zombie Donuts and carved or painted pumpkins. In November, we hosted a Potluck during one of our Cookie Nights in which several members of the FRC Executive Board prepared and brought home-cooked dishes for all members to enjoy. Before Final Exams, Chera hosted a Late Night Breakfast in her apartment where members could enjoy pancakes, eggs, fruit, and coffee to help de-stress before finals. Speaking of de-stress, FRC member Rachel Hall hosted many relaxing yoga sessions throughout the fall, both inside of Rutherford Hall, and during nice weather, outside on Myers Quad. From Cookie Nights to Yoga Sessions, our members bonded and the FRC became a family.

            The end of 2017 left valuable memories to the members of the Franklin Residential College. In addition, we increased academic awareness of various topics related to The Franklin College of Arts & Sciences. The FRC contributed to the Athens community, and we built a richer community within Rutherford. In addition, we developed new systems for advertising our events, through UGA email, posters around Rutherford, the FRC electronic calendar, and GroupMe for members. Through expansion of our membership, we enhanced recognition of the Franklin Residential College. As we continue to move forward in 2018, the FRC will bring in more academic, service, and social opportunities. What does it really mean to be a part of the FRC? We are more than just a residential community. We are innovative, diverse, impactful, fun, and serve to produce change. The FRC truly is the place to be!

Contributed by Amber Smith, Director's Assistant and FRC Public Relations Chair